It's only Game 3, but you are going to remember this one for a long while.
John Tavares rescued the New York Islanders from heartache -- which has basically been his job description over the last six years -- with a game-winning goal 15 seconds into overtime of Game 3. It wasn't a herculean individual effort, and the shot wasn't even hard, but it was a smart, opportunistic one. It capped off a good team play -- play that began with a key Tavares forecheck along the boards to keep the puck in the zone.
The goal gave the Isles a 2-1 victory and 2-1 series lead over the Washington Capitals, but in this season that begs for poetry and nods to history, it gave Isles fans much more than one game or one lead. That sounds cheesy, but it's the reality. That's just the way of things when you're saying goodbye to a building that saw so many great moments, but lay neglected for so many years thanks to outside forces that kept Isles fans from seeing more days like these.
Fans have been waiting for this.
So, watch it. Watch it again. Start your week with it on Monday morning. Play it to your kids before bed. (And if you're too young for kids and too young to remember Islanders playoff OT victories, just know that you'll describe this to the next generation one day.)
The war, the nerves, the nausea, the chance for more memorable moments resume Tuesday. This should tide you over until then.